No data linking fracking, water contamination

We read in the Coloradoan at least once a week something about hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." The majority of these articles paint fracking as something sinister that will poison our drinking water or cause other environmental disasters. However, there is no basis in fact that fracking will cause any of these problems.

Recent studies have found no substantiated connection between fracking and groundwater contamination.

? A 2004 Environmental Protection Agency study of fracturing of coalbed methane reservoirs found "little or no threat" to underground sources of drinking water. Hydraulic fracking continues to be studied by the EPA.

? A 2009 study by the Ground Water Protection Council, an association of state regulators, reviewed 10,000 wells and found only one complaint, which proved to be unrelated to hydraulic fracturing.

? In 2010, the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission, representing 30 state governments, affirmed that there have been no verified cases of drinking-water contamination resulting from hydraulic fracturing operations in states where shale gas is produced.

Since the late 1940s, over 1 million wells have been hydraulically fractured in the United States, and more than 2 million have been fractured worldwide. When used in connection with horizontal drilling, an advanced drilling technology, hydraulic fracturing has made it possible to develop vast unconventional resources.

Without hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, resources like gas from tight sands, coalbeds and shale remain largely undeveloped. These sources of energy are vital if the United States ever wants to become energy independent in the future.

Hydraulic fracturing takes place in hydrocarbon-bearing formations that are typically thousands of feet below the surface. It would take multiple Empire State Buildings (1,454 feet each) on top of one another to reach a targeted formation at 6,000 feet or more.

Beyond the mechanical safeguards of the well itself, groundwater is protected by physical factors. Drinking water typically comes from fresh-water aquifers 200 to 300 feet below the surface. So the separation between the drinking water tables and a fracking operation is often over a mile. Multiple layers of permeable and impermeable rock separate the targeted hydrocarbon formation from the aquifers, providing natural geologic barriers to the upward migration of fluids.

In December 2011, media attention was ignited by the release of an EPA draft report, which found that, in Pavilion, Wyo., "Data indicates likely impact to ground water that can be explained by hydraulic fracturing." Since then, the EPA has backtracked with the statement, "We make clear that the causal link to hydraulic fracturing has not been demonstrated." The preliminary report was released prior to peer review.

If the United States ever intends to become energy independent, production from shale formations will need to be developed. We agree that CSU and other entities should investigate ways to limit the amount of water used in the fracturing process. A lot of the water used today in fracturing is reused. Also, inspections of drilling operations at the surface, where chemicals are stored for fracturing, need to be controlled to ensure that drilling operators are responsible and safe in their operations.

If the Fort Collins City Council plans to adopt regulations for "drilling" operations, it needs to focus on the surface operations of drilling contractors.

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No data linking fracking, water contamination

We read in the Coloradoan at least once a week something about hydraulic fracturing, or 'fracking.' The majority of these articles paint fracking as something sinister that will poison our drinking